Trojans begin title defense at Hawaii

USC gunning for third straight championship

HONOLULU -- After studying film of Southern California's high-powered offense, Hawaii defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville suggested adding another digit to the scoreboard in Aloha Stadium -- just in case the Trojans break 100 on Saturday.

Glanville also has some advice for the two-time defending national champions: leave the mascot at home.

"I'm worried about the horse -- you know Traveler. He usually runs up and down the sideline after every USC touchdown. He may die (of exhaustion). Traveler could drop dead during the game," he said.

Joking aside, the former NFL coach understands the Warriors have a huge task in slowing down the Trojans, who bring a 22-game winning streak into the opener.

USC visits the islands with a roster packed with talent.

Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Matt Leinart is 25-1 as a starter and a touchdown pass away from tying Carson Palmer's USC record of 72. He threw for 3,322 yards and 33 touchdowns last season and passed up a chance to be the first pick in the NFL draft.

Joining him in the backfield are Heisman finalist Reggie Bush and LenDale White, perhaps the top tailback tandem in the nation. Bush racked up 2,330 all-purpose yards last season, the most by a Trojan since Marcus Allen in 1981. The hard-charging White rushed for 1,103 yards and 15 TDs.

"They're just the total package," Glanville said. "They have good athletes at all 11 positions, they're well coached and they've been playing together."

USC coach Pete Carroll has an enviable problem. He said he's concerned that his offense, "will be so explosive that the defense will have to spend a lot of time on the field."

"We don't know how it is going to unfold. I hope we will take care of the football and do the things that have made us what we are," he said.

Hawaii, on the other hand, is young and untested. The Warriors are rebuilding after losing 13 starters, including record-setting quarterback Timmy Chang and receiver Chad Owens.

"It's hard to replace them. But you know what? USC doesn't worry about us replacing them so we better grow up and play," Hawaii coach June Jones said.

Colt Brennan, a junior college transfer, and freshman Tyler Graunke will both play quarterback against the Trojans. Both are making their Division I debut and vying to replace Chang, the NCAA's career passing leader who led Hawaii to an 8-5 mark last year.

"I know that we have enough athletes and enough heart that we can make something special happen," said Brennan, Leinart's backup at Mater Dei High in Orange County, Calif.

A Hawaii win would be one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history.

Favored by five touchdowns, USC has been ranked No. 1 in 19 straight AP polls. Hawaii, playing its first top-ranked opponent since losing to Nebraska 45-3 in 1971, hasn't been ranked in the poll since 1993.

Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense and unique home-field advantage are its greatest assets. Last season, the Warriors were 8-1 at Aloha Stadium.

"It is (the) most distracting environment you can be in. We are going to paradise to go play football," he said. "There are a lot of issues that come up that make this an important game for focus and concentration. It doesn't really matter who we are playing in that regard."

USC won't have much time to get distracted. They arrived in Honolulu late Thursday with a scheduled walkthrough practice Friday. They are staying in the posh and secluded Ihilani Resort and Spa, an hour drive away from bustling Waikiki.

Leinart and Bush may be eyeing a return to Ihilani. The oceanside resort is where the NFL's All-Stars stay during Pro Bowl week.

USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson said the team is focused on staying unbeaten, not the scenery.

"When it's time to have fun, we have fun. When it's time to get serious, we get serious," he said. "It's too hard to get distracted when you're No. 1. Everybody's gunning for you."

The game will mark Glanville's return to football. The former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons head coach was brought in to rescue Hawaii's woeful defense, which allowed an average of 38.4 points and 487.8 yards per game last season.

His first assignment is daunting.

"You've got to stop their weapons and they have weapons everywhere," Glanville said. "You have to have all weapons accounted for. I think we're ready to go."

The Trojans are 5-0 against the Warriors dating back to 1930. USC has outscored Hawaii 234-50, including a 61-32 win in the Coliseum two years ago.

Graunke said he's not intimidated.

"We're not just going to let them kill us because they're No. 1 in the nation and we're pretty much nobody right now," he said.

"We've got nothing to lose, so we're just going to play hard. Anything can happen in college football."